Who says Christmas comes but once a year? It may have been 6 months ago but using a voucher gift from the daughter and son in law, in May, means it just keeps on giving 🎄🎁.

On one of the hottest days of the year, we set off to Tenterden in Kent, to find the Kent and East Sussex railway, where we were to enjoy a two hour, return, steam train ride, to Bodiam.

 

What a lovely area, with a huge free car park, a railway museum and a tap room, it seems it would be worth a visit, even if you don’t have a train ride book.

 

However, we headed straight for the station, the platform filled with railway enthusiasts having just seen the steam engine chugging its way into the station. With half an hour before we were due to board, we made the most of the sunshine to enjoy a glass of locally produced Biddenden cider. Although I normally prefer a sparkling cider, it was really fruity and and very refreshing 🍻

 

 

As the carriages were being set for our journey, we had time to wander along the platform and meet our shiny engine preparing, to transport us to a bygone age.🚂

All set, our carriage, Diana, awaited. A table for two by the window. The whistle blew and we were, slowly, on our way. As we gradually picked up speed, the countryside sparkling in the sunshine, our cream teas were served. Two lovely warm fruit scones, with a tub of cream and a little pot of jam, and as always the scone debate was had 😂. The friendly servers, in traditional white and black uniforms, skilfully poured tea and coffee at the table, keeping steady hands as the train jiggled along the track ☕️🫖

Farm animals nonchalantly chewed the grass, appearing not to notice us trundling on by, smoke billowing from the funnel as we passed. Behind the trees we could just see a polocrosse match being played. The marshes at Northiam, were still pretty wet, despite the recent hot, dry weather, with plenty of birds cooling down in the water. A short while later, peeking out through the leafy trees, Bodiam castle appeared. The outer walls are remarkably intact considering it was built in 1385. Sadly today, we could only admire it through the trees as we weren’t going to alight.

There was a short wait at Bodiam station, while the engine was uncoupled from, the now, rear of the train and moved to the front. Then we were chugging back to Tenterden, along the same route, but the scenery was still as beautiful. Another cuppa and a gingerbread train, completing our cream tea 😋

With the engine working hard to pull us along, and a slight breeze in the air, small specks of soot were finding their way through the open window, into my hair and into my tea, but it was so warm we needed to keep the window open. I think even those in First Class were having the same issues 😂

The old steam train whistled as it struggled a little, up the hill and as we pulled into the station, we drew quite a gathering, waving as we passed.

A fabulously nostalgic journey, on a sunny Sunday afternoon.